To support local health departments in implementing and expanding their wastewater monitoring efforts, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohort of the Wastewater Monitoring Mentorship Program. NACCHO is currently seeking applications for three (3) mentor sites and six (6) mentee sites. Each mentor site will receive $25,000 each, and the mentee sites will receive $20,000 each. 

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how accurate and timely data is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness and response. Traditional monitoring systems mainly captured symptomatic people who sought care or had access to testing, while wastewater monitoring (WWM) was a more inclusive, non-invasive, and inexpensive method to monitor community-level infections. Since more than 80% of households in the United States are connected to a municipal wastewater collection system and SARS-CoV-2 is shed in the feces, sewage serves as an efficient pooled sample to provide information on community-level and subcommunity-level infections and trends. Access to timely information can help direct resources where needed (i.e., individual testing accordingly and informed decision-making to limit the spread of the virus).

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, many jurisdictions are expanding their WWM efforts to include other pathogen targets also shed in the feces, including influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), among others. Because WWM is still a relatively new and rapidly evolving tool, it requires additional scientific research and the development and dissemination of tools, best practices, and resources to support its effective implementation at the local level.

This mentorship program will help to support local health departments in implementing and expanding their WWM efforts. Local health departments (LHDs) with demonstrated experience in utilizing WWM will be matched with LHDs in the early stages of developing a WWM program and who are looking for guidance, tools, and resources for making progress toward meeting their community needs. 

Eligible programs must:

1. Represent a local health department or other local government agency. “Local” is here defined as organizations working at county, city, or community levels. Private entities are not eligible for funding through this opportunity;

2. Mentors: Applicants applying to serve as mentors should demonstrate subject-matter expertise and experience leading a WWM program;

3. Mentees: Applicants applying to become mentees should demonstrate interest and need in developing and/or expanding WWM in their jurisdiction, and how this mentorship program will guide them through this process. 

NACCHO will support Awardees to:

• Participate in monthly virtual meetings. 

• Share tools, resources, and lessons learned throughout the program. 

• Complete a pre-assessment, post-assessment, and exit interview.

• Connect with subject-matter experts on wastewater surveillance. 

• Conduct site visits between mentors and mentees.

The program is anticipated to start on September 1, 2026, and run through May 31, 2027. 

• Click here to apply and download the budget worksheet, budget narrative, and other attachments. 
• Click here to view the Request for Applications. 

There will be an optional informational webinar on June 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT to provide an overview of the RFA and to answer any questions. To attend the webinar, register HERE. Please note that no new information will be shared during the call. Applicants do not need to wait for this optional call in order to begin or submit an application. The call will be recorded and posted to the NACCHO WASH webpage. 

Need inspiration to apply? Check out what our previous cohort gained from joining our mentorship program.

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted through OpenWater no later than 11:59 PM EDT on July 17, 2026. You must create a free MyNACCHO account in order to submit an application.

For questions or concerns regarding the application, email [email protected].